Knife turns shoplifting into aggravated robbery

Police say a Beaumont woman is in custody after she slashed a JC Penny's employee while attempting to flee the Parkdale Mall store with stolen property.

On Wednesday, April 10, at approximately 6:17 p.m., police responded to the store to find the woman already in custody, a BPD press release said.

According to the press release, Brittany Sandoval, 23, of Beaumont was seen taking several items from the department store before attempting to leave. When Sandoval was stopped by loss prevention employees, she pulled a knife, slashing at least one employee in an attempt to get away. One employee was cut during the disturbance.

A federal law enforcement officer saw the disturbance and stepped in to help the employees. When the officer drew his/her weapon, Sandoval quickly dropped her knife and the officer was able to place her in custody, the press release said.

Sandoval was booked in the Jefferson County Jail on charges of aggravated robbery.